NORMAL, Ill. – The first two quarters of Saturday's game between No. 18 Illinois State and in-state rival Western Illinois were closely contested, with the two teams going score for score and the Redbirds holding just a three-point lead over the Leathernecks at halftime. However, a special teams touchdown to start the third quarter and two more scores helped ISU (2-1) pull away in the second half and pick up a 51-34 win over WIU (0-3) at Hancock Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 12,440 on Family Day.
How It Happened:
•   Illinois State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as the Redbirds marched 75 yards in just four plays off the opening kickoff to score on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to Xavier Loyd to make the score 7-0 just over a minute into the contest.
•   After forcing a turnover on downs on Western Illinois' first offensive possession of the contest, the Redbirds found the endzone once again on their second drive of the contest when Rittenhouse called his own number and ran it in for a 6-yard score to make it 14-0 with 8:30 left in the first quarter.
•   Western Illinois would get on the board late in the first quarter, as Nate Lamb scored from six yards out to cut the Redbird lead in half at 14-7 with 3:11 left in the first quarter.
•   The Leathernecks tied the game at 14-14 with 12:35 left in the second quarter, when they went 95 yards on 11 plays as Lamb connected with Christian Anaya on a 3-yard touchdown pass.
•   After an on-side kick attempt by the Leathernecks failed and gave the Redbirds great field possession, ISU regained the lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jake Rubley with 10:36 left before halftime.
•   WIU tied the game once against at 21-21 as Lamb scored on a quarterback sneak from a yard out with 5:25 left before the break.
•   ISU took the lead back on its next possession, as a 27-yard field goal by Ian Wagner capped off a 9-play, 65-yard scoring drive to make the score 24-21 with 2:42 left in the second quarter.
•   The score stayed that way until the first drive of the second half, when Western Illinois attempted a 49-yard field goal that was blocked by ISU's Donovan McBride and was returned 58 yards for a touchdown by Lavoise-Deontae McCoy … the extra point make was good by Ian Wagner and Redbirds went up 31-21 with 11:55 left in the third quarter.
•   Lamb would then score his third rushing touchdown of the game to cut the ISU lead to 31-28 with 7:36 left in the third quarter, as he called his own number and ran it in from two yards out.
•   The Redbirds extended the lead to 38-28 on a three-yard touchdown run by Wenkers Wright with 3:52 left in the third quarter as the back-and-forth continued.
•   A 23-yard touchdown pass from Rittenhouse to Daniel Sobkowicz widened the Redbird lead to 44-28 with 12:28 left in the contest as the Redbirds got the ball off of a fumble forced by Tye Niekamp.
•   True freshman Matt Lawson would put a cap on the scoring for the Redbirds, as he barreled into the endzone from four yards out for his first touchdown as a Redbird to extend the lead to 51-28.
•   WIU would tack on a late touchdown with just two seconds left in the game on a 3-yard pass from Chris Irvin to Eli Aragon to bring the score to its final at 51-34.
Game Notes: Â Â
•  ISU's 51 points scored was its most since Oct. 13, 2018, when the Redbirds also scored 51 in a Homecoming victory over Southern Illinois.
•   Wright finished the game with 106 yards on 16 carries with a score … it was his second-straight game with over 100 yards rushing.
•   Transfer wide receiver Xavier Loyd has his biggest game as a Redbird with four catches for 85 yards including the 59-yard touchdown catch from Rittenhouse.
•   Sobkowicz's late touchdown was his first of the year, as he finished with 53 yards on four catches.
•   Punter Hayden Futch had a career day, averaging 54 yards per punt with a long of 63 yards and two downed inside the 20 yard line.Â
•   Lavoise-Deontae McCoy and Mark Cannon Jr. tied for the team lead with 12 tackles apiece for the Redbirds, while Tye Niekamp added 10 with a TFL, a forced fumble and an interception.
•   Keondre Jackson continued his solid play for the Redbirds with 10 tackles and a half TFL, while Jalan Gaines was strong with six tackles, a sack and two TFLs.
Next Up:
Illinois State continues its home stand next Saturday, when the Redbirds welcome in longtime rival Eastern Illinois for the 112th Mid-America Classic, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. at Hancock Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear black and come out early to help welcome back the 2014 Redbird national runner up team as they return for a 10-year anniversary celebration.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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